Published: Friday, January 31, 2014 at 03:59 PM.

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While looking for new pieces, Scott discovered she loved the hunt and the history behind the finds. She learned to be more strategic, researched heavily, and turned herself into an expert on vintage picks. And now it’s her goal to help other people see that they can do it too.

At Saturday’s event, she’ll discuss the mid-century period, styles of furniture, identifying items, monetary value, care and preservation, using and displaying pieces, and more. She’ll walk around the ReStore floor with attendees, help them pick out things, and point out examples of great finds.

“It’s going to be very fun and casual. It’s going to be a lot of hands-on learning,” Scott said.

You can reach lifestyles reporter Andrea Honaker at ahonaker@gastongazette.com or 704-869-1840. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/andi384 and read her blog at lifelessons.blogs.gastongazette.com.

It may be 2014, but there’s still a lot to love about items from the 1950s. Donna Scott, aka Mod Bettie, is an expert in the increasingly popular mid-century modern designs and she’ll be sharing her secrets on Feb. 8.

“Mid-century was really an amazing time in design,” Scott said, adding that this was a period that focused on form and durability. “It’s just a different aesthetic. It was from a time when if something broke, you got it fixed. I love the idea that these things lived through so many years and are so beautiful and still functional.”

Habitat for Humanity is hosting the “Shopping Vintage with ReStore Renew” seminar at Gaston County ReStore on Franklin Boulevard. Attendees will shop the store with Scott and get a catered lunch and coupons.

ReStore accepts donations of new and gently used home items and resells them to the public at reduced prices, with profits going toward Habitat’s building programs and operating expenses. Scott said Gaston ReStore was chosen for the seminar location because it has a lot of mid-century items. She’s bought several things from the store in the past, such as a mirror, Pyrex and barware.

“You just never know what you’re going to find. If you see something good, you better not hesitate,” she said.

When Scott isn’t producing films and theater productions, she’s blogging for ReStore, operating an online shop at etsy.com and searching for vintage products. Scott said she and her husband have always been enamored with vintage items. Her love for the 1950s started with her dad’s two-tone blue 1956 Chevrolet, which he still has today. In 2012, Scott and her husband fulfilled a longtime dream by buying a 1950s ranch home in Charlotte. They’ve been gradually buying authentic furniture and houseware items to fill it.

“I like things that are fun and functional, kind of kitschy,” she said.

While looking for new pieces, Scott discovered she loved the hunt and the history behind the finds. She learned to be more strategic, researched heavily, and turned herself into an expert on vintage picks. And now it’s her goal to help other people see that they can do it too.

At Saturday’s event, she’ll discuss the mid-century period, styles of furniture, identifying items, monetary value, care and preservation, using and displaying pieces, and more. She’ll walk around the ReStore floor with attendees, help them pick out things, and point out examples of great finds.

“It’s going to be very fun and casual. It’s going to be a lot of hands-on learning,” Scott said.

You can reach lifestyles reporter Andrea Honaker at ahonaker@gastongazette.com or 704-869-1840. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/andi384 and read her blog at lifelessons.blogs.gastongazette.com.